Sadly, accountability and discipline within the congregation are absent from most churches, often intentionally. When a Christian with a public platform recently mentioned this, she received a lot of pushback as if she was advocating for a return to the Inquisition rather than biblically commanded church structure. I faced that myself a few years ago when a pastor vented his frustration about attitudes in his congregation. When I asked what accountability and discipline structures he has set up, he became angry at me and accused me of "bashing" his church.
We seem to have forgotten that the church Jesus set up was a body for mutual edification, growth and discipline to become more like him. Instead, many churches operate as a gathering of individuals on a private faith journey following their own set of rules (or lack thereof). The church is the setting where we learn about the real love and compassion that Jesus taught instead of the emotion-laden and arbitrary "love" that the world advocates - and that learning starts with biblical accountability and discipline.
Excellence in writing and message. We must remember what Paul said when he knew that if he wanted approval from men, he sure wouldn’t be in a position to honor Christ.
Thank you. We seem to have great difficulty in not going to extremes. I think it is because we prefer a simplistic slogan to true wisdom. Another problem is that we prefer to appear righteous rather than be righteous.
Pastor Walker- Your essay reminds me of the churches described in Revelation 1-3 ,except for the Philadelphian church. For me, there is a one to one correlation to many of the Christian denominations. My action is examine my thoughts, words, behavior to plumb line of Biblical (absolute) truth, repent where needed, and encourage other believers to do the same. I believe Jesus' warning in Matthew 10:28 applies - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28, ESV). I fear God!
The SIGN. The shepherds did not ask for a sign, but one was graciously given. Sometimes it is sinful for us to require as an evidence what God's tenderness may nevertheless see fit to give as an aid to faith. Wilful unbelief shall have no sign, but weak faith shall have compassionate aid. The sign that the joy of the world had come was this,—they were to go to the manger to find the Christ in it, and he was to be the sign. Every circumstance is therefore instructive. The babe was found "wrapped in swaddling clothes." Now, observe, as you look at this infant, that there is not the remotest appearance of temporal power here. Mark the two little puny arms of a little babe that must be carried if it go. Alas, the nations of the earth look for joy in military power. By what means can we make a nation of soldiers? The Prussian method is admirable; we must have thousands upon thousands of armed men and big cannon and ironclad vessels to kill and destroy by wholesale. Is it not a nation's pride to be gigantic in arms? What pride flushes the patriot's cheek when he remembers that his nation can murder faster than any other people. Ah, foolish generation, ye are groping in the flames of hell to find your heaven, raking amid blood and bones for the foul thing which ye call glory. A nation's joy can never lie in the misery of others. Killing is not the path to prosperity; huge armaments are a curse to the nation itself as well as to its neighbors. The joy of a nation is a golden sand over which no stream of blood has ever rippled. It is only found in that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. The weakness of submissive gentleness is true power. Jesus founds his eternal empire not on force but on love. Here, O ye people, see your hope; the mild pacific prince, whose glory is his self-sacrifice, is our true benefactor.
thank you for your words. It is a difficult time when the "church" is divided within itself over compassion and love. There is no turning back. God knows his own but I pray even those who have been blinded by the world's interpretation of love and compassion will repent before God, Seek his face and truly be the church.
There are no shortcuts to moral clarity and truth. History in all it's glory and uncivilized action must be acknowledged, studied, and learned from. There are too many distractions from truth today. Unity is absolutely essential if the NWO is to be defeated. If these tumultuous times have evoked anything they have unmasked a very evil cabal of what were considered conspiracy theory influenced luciferians. Dystopian fueled times are upon us all in the Western World. The only advantage good people have is numbers. Make no mistake, those numbers will be dramatically reduced in a short time if free people succumb to the plan. It is not given to come to pass. As you read this exceptional writing of these takes on responsibility open your eyes: ALL THREE OF THEM! Standing together is the only way to defeat evil completely. Then, justice must be provided so that this evil cannot remanifest in the future. Consciousness is a gift from God to free people. The benevolence of consciousness exists in all of us. That responsibility of all to future generations is paramount to our enlightenment towards freedom and liberty. I am no preacher nor without sin and regret. That said, because I know the tenants of slavery from life experience I hold that freedom given to me by God's Grace in the highest esteem. Thank you Virgil for spreading truth. With all I have left I will pursue liberty until my last breath. Together we can reclaim the moral and ethical high ground. God help US and God bless America. WWG1WGA
Sadly, accountability and discipline within the congregation are absent from most churches, often intentionally. When a Christian with a public platform recently mentioned this, she received a lot of pushback as if she was advocating for a return to the Inquisition rather than biblically commanded church structure. I faced that myself a few years ago when a pastor vented his frustration about attitudes in his congregation. When I asked what accountability and discipline structures he has set up, he became angry at me and accused me of "bashing" his church.
We seem to have forgotten that the church Jesus set up was a body for mutual edification, growth and discipline to become more like him. Instead, many churches operate as a gathering of individuals on a private faith journey following their own set of rules (or lack thereof). The church is the setting where we learn about the real love and compassion that Jesus taught instead of the emotion-laden and arbitrary "love" that the world advocates - and that learning starts with biblical accountability and discipline.
Exactly. Love=truth+obedience
Courage of convictions needs to make a comeback
"goats leading the church"
Accountability does exist within approved moral frameworks and God's moral law is not on the list.
If only we could see Biblical Jesus' reaction when pastors:
- preach using the CoExIst bumper sticker
- preach the doctrine of "personal truth" from the pulpit
- exalt politicians who claim "the Bible is filled with hate speech"
Any moral doctrine, no matter how popular, that subjugates Christ and mutes scriptural authority is wrong.
Tribe Christ is primary.
Excellence in writing and message. We must remember what Paul said when he knew that if he wanted approval from men, he sure wouldn’t be in a position to honor Christ.
Thank you. We seem to have great difficulty in not going to extremes. I think it is because we prefer a simplistic slogan to true wisdom. Another problem is that we prefer to appear righteous rather than be righteous.
Pastor Walker- Your essay reminds me of the churches described in Revelation 1-3 ,except for the Philadelphian church. For me, there is a one to one correlation to many of the Christian denominations. My action is examine my thoughts, words, behavior to plumb line of Biblical (absolute) truth, repent where needed, and encourage other believers to do the same. I believe Jesus' warning in Matthew 10:28 applies - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28, ESV). I fear God!
So accurate! “harmony at all costs!”
CH Spurgeon saw this from another angle in 1873 christmas msg.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joblow/p/excerpt-spurgeon-christmas-msg-1873?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=p9uxo
The SIGN. The shepherds did not ask for a sign, but one was graciously given. Sometimes it is sinful for us to require as an evidence what God's tenderness may nevertheless see fit to give as an aid to faith. Wilful unbelief shall have no sign, but weak faith shall have compassionate aid. The sign that the joy of the world had come was this,—they were to go to the manger to find the Christ in it, and he was to be the sign. Every circumstance is therefore instructive. The babe was found "wrapped in swaddling clothes." Now, observe, as you look at this infant, that there is not the remotest appearance of temporal power here. Mark the two little puny arms of a little babe that must be carried if it go. Alas, the nations of the earth look for joy in military power. By what means can we make a nation of soldiers? The Prussian method is admirable; we must have thousands upon thousands of armed men and big cannon and ironclad vessels to kill and destroy by wholesale. Is it not a nation's pride to be gigantic in arms? What pride flushes the patriot's cheek when he remembers that his nation can murder faster than any other people. Ah, foolish generation, ye are groping in the flames of hell to find your heaven, raking amid blood and bones for the foul thing which ye call glory. A nation's joy can never lie in the misery of others. Killing is not the path to prosperity; huge armaments are a curse to the nation itself as well as to its neighbors. The joy of a nation is a golden sand over which no stream of blood has ever rippled. It is only found in that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. The weakness of submissive gentleness is true power. Jesus founds his eternal empire not on force but on love. Here, O ye people, see your hope; the mild pacific prince, whose glory is his self-sacrifice, is our true benefactor.
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/joy-born-at-bethlehem/#flipbook/
I refer to these pastors as Lovebunnies
thank you for your words. It is a difficult time when the "church" is divided within itself over compassion and love. There is no turning back. God knows his own but I pray even those who have been blinded by the world's interpretation of love and compassion will repent before God, Seek his face and truly be the church.
There are no shortcuts to moral clarity and truth. History in all it's glory and uncivilized action must be acknowledged, studied, and learned from. There are too many distractions from truth today. Unity is absolutely essential if the NWO is to be defeated. If these tumultuous times have evoked anything they have unmasked a very evil cabal of what were considered conspiracy theory influenced luciferians. Dystopian fueled times are upon us all in the Western World. The only advantage good people have is numbers. Make no mistake, those numbers will be dramatically reduced in a short time if free people succumb to the plan. It is not given to come to pass. As you read this exceptional writing of these takes on responsibility open your eyes: ALL THREE OF THEM! Standing together is the only way to defeat evil completely. Then, justice must be provided so that this evil cannot remanifest in the future. Consciousness is a gift from God to free people. The benevolence of consciousness exists in all of us. That responsibility of all to future generations is paramount to our enlightenment towards freedom and liberty. I am no preacher nor without sin and regret. That said, because I know the tenants of slavery from life experience I hold that freedom given to me by God's Grace in the highest esteem. Thank you Virgil for spreading truth. With all I have left I will pursue liberty until my last breath. Together we can reclaim the moral and ethical high ground. God help US and God bless America. WWG1WGA
Absolutely! Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for laying this out so well, Pastor Virgil. “Disordered compassion” — you put your finger right on the mark.
Brother Walker, once again I applaud your outstanding article. Thank you for a clear, doctrinal and Biblical message.
"Scripture never treats love as limitless sentiment." Exactly. That often heard quote, "Love is love" is not true.
Merry Christmas, Virgil. Thank you for challenging us and encouraging us.